Sunday, November 15, 2009

Ambulance Driver and I get better acquainted.I'll be sharing little details and posting photos (once I get them all downloaded and edited) but if you want all the various and sundry details of what was, undoubtedly, one of the best weeks of my life, you'll have to read elsewhere.

Gay Cynicopen carries for the first time. (as a little aside here - On Friday, before we went to visit the horses, the whole motley bunch of us were standing on the sidewalk, admiring the saddles. I stepped back, a bit bemused at the scene. Ah, Blogorado - where you can have a gay man, a librarian and a Texan in a kilt all enjoying each other's company, the warm sunny day, and the freedom of open carry. It was a thing of beauty.)

The gorgeous Phlegmfatale (I'm not kidding, folks. It was like a movie star made an appearance at the range. I'm still dazzled.) gushes over gravy. And no wonder, the food was excellent - best chicken fried steak I've ever had. Okay, it was the ONLY chicken fried steak I've ever had, but I have it on good authority that it was one of the best EVER. (& Farmmom is going to be blogging the recipes!)

I really cannot say enough about Farmgirl, her parents, and her Mamaw - fine, generous people who worked so hard to host a bunch of strangers. They fed us, took us in, and treated us like family. A simple "thank you" seems insufficient but there it is - from the depths of my heart.

I can understand lack of familiarity with calf fries, aka Rocky Mountain Oysters. Not many folks have availed themselves of the experience beyond cowboys, sheep-herders and the occasional fraternity pledge.

But reaching maturity and only now encountering chicken fried steak for the first time is simply un-American! It is a staple of red states and truck stops even in blue states.

All of you were a joy to have here. I am honored that such a group would show up in our little town. We had as much or more fun than the rest of you. I am already looking forward to next year! And if you can make it before then you are welcome to show up anytime!